If you find yourself clicking on (or hovering over) this blog, then you are already taking a positive step towards getting productive for the new academic year – so go you! September has officially begun and it’s that time again when the panic about how to motivate yourself to start the new academic year in a good way rises. In this blog, I want to share a few tips that have previously helped me to start the new year positively over my past 3 years studying at Durham.
Don’t neglect the academic diary!
Whether you prefer a paper book or an online version, academic diaries can be so helpful when it comes to organising and structuring your, likely very-busy, student schedule. I like to designate some time on a Sunday to pencil in the week’s commitments and colour code them. This makes it easy for me to stay on top of my priorities and visually see what I have going on each day. I personally like to do it on a Sunday because it means that I can start my week off more productively as a result.
Have a daily to-do-list
I always spend around 15 minutes in the morning writing out my to-do-list for the day and carrying out a somewhat ‘easier’ task first, one that doesn’t take too long to complete. This means that I can get something ticked off my list right away and the satisfaction of doing that is really rewarding.
Keep on top of cleaning
Cleaning my student accommodation is definitely my least favourite thing to do, but when you move out, keeping on top of cleaning is essential. A clear space equals a clear mind, which that is vital before you can even begin to think about being productive in other ways. As much as we are all guilty of letting mess fester over time before we are given no choice but to deal with it, designating slots each week to stay ahead of the game can be much better for your overall productivity.
Eat a balanced diet and meal prep (if you can)
Balancing your diet with nutritious meals will help you with your productivity. If you do have any extra time at the start of the week, I would recommend preparing some of your dinners in advance. In this way, you have one less thing to worry about on an evening and it also allows you to stay fuelled up for your studying! A win-win.
Give time to your hobbies and self care
As important as your studies are, your mental health and overall wellbeing should always be your top priority. Hobbies, self-care and sports are just some ways to look after yourself so that you can, in turn, look after your studies. Try to make time for those extra-curricular things that are important to you, rather than seeing them as a hinderance to your studies. A healthy balance can make you feel more energised and lead you to working better in the long run.
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